Spinning reels probably won’t get quite as much use as your baitcasters but they will still play an important role in your fishing success. Before you grab the prettiest spinning reel off the shelf, there are a few important features that you should know about.
My conclusion after testing quite a few spinning reels is that the Abu Garcia Revo Rocket Spinning Reel (link to check the price on Amazon). The Revo Rocket is silky smooth and the main drawing power behind the reel is the fact that it comes in a 7.0:1 gear ratio which is just unheard of for a spinning reel.
The most important takeaway from this article should be the simple fact to be wary when purchasing reels under the $50 mark. I’ve found from my experience that reels in this price-range simply begin to lose their quality and begin to wear and tear after a year or two. That’s not to say that there aren’t reels in this category that can work for you but be sure to do your research before purchasing them.
What to Look for In a Spinning Reel
- Gear Ratio
As I discussed briefly earlier, the Revo Rocket Spinning Reel is equipped with a 7.0:1 gear ratio which is extremely high when compared to most spinning reels. The size 30 model (my preferred model) takes in 41 inches of line per turn of the handle. This allows you to simply make more cast and catch up to fish much faster.
- Bearing Count
The Revo Rocket is made up of 10 ball bearings. Because of this high bearing count, the Rocket is slick smooth and the drag is just flat-out buttery. The high bearing count simply allows easier turns of the handle.
- Price
Look for reels in the $125 to $250 price range to ensure you get the best deal on your reel. The Revo Rocket isn’t the cheapest reel on the market but for all of its features, it’s a heck of a deal.
- Weight
The weight of your reel plays a big role in how comfortable your reel is in your hands. Most of the time, you’ll want to strive to get the lightest reel possible so that it’ll be the least stressful on your hands. The Revo Rocket comes in at 7.70 ounces which is an extremely lightweight but it still packs a powerful punch with a 7.0:1 gear ratio.
Popular Reel Brands to Consider
- Abu Garcia (Revo Rocket)
Abu Garcia has been one of the leaders in reels for a long time and continues to produce some of the highest-quality reels out there.
- Lew’s
Lew’s has been a household name in the fishing industry and produces reels that are well known for being extremely lightweight.
- Favorite Fishing
Favorite Fishing is fairly new into the fishing industry but their reels have had no problem penetrating a highly competitive market.
- Daiwa
Daiwa’s reels are known for being extremely high-quality but also on the upper end of the price spectrum.
- Shimano
Shimano was one of the first companies to breakthrough by putting a digital computer (DC) into a baitcaster to prevent backlashes and they’ll surely expand their technology into the spinning reel industry.
- Quantum
Quantum reels have been heavily endorsed and favored by arguably the best bass fisherman in the world, Kevin VanDam, from 1990-2019.
- Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops actually boasts their own line of high-quality spinning reels that are reasonably priced and perform well.
Why I Chose the Abu Garcia Revo Rocket
I chose the Revo Rocket as my recommendation for spinning reels for a couple of main reasons.
The first and most important reason for choosing the Rocket is its gear ratio. There isn’t another bass fishing spinning reel on the market that I’m aware of that offers a gear ratio higher than 7.0:1. Having this gear ratio allows you to simply make more cast in a day. Think about it. Once your done working your bait on any specific cast, the faster you reel it in, the more cast you will make in a day. Thus, the more opportunities you’ll have at catching more fish. It’s that simple. A high gear ratio can also be extremely helpful when using this reel in heavy cover or dealing with fish that run straight at you before you can set the hook.
The second reason is the pricing for this reel. Like I said before, the Revo Rocket isn’t the cheapest reel on the market but for all of its premium features, it’s well worth the price. Sometimes, it’s better to buy a reel that’s a little bit more pricey to ensure that the reel lasts a long time and guarantees lots of fish catches to come.
So How About the Higher-End Reels?
One of the questions that I found myself scratching my head about when it comes to spinning reels was this; What’s so special about the high-end reels? There isn’t exactly a clear-cut answer to this question but there are a few speculations.
Spinning reels probably won’t get quite as much use as your baitcasters but they will still play an important role in your fishing success. Before you grab the prettiest spinning reel off the shelf, there are a few important features that you should know about.
My conclusion after testing quite a few spinning reels is that the Abu Garcia Revo Rocket Spinning Reel (link to check the price on Amazon). The Revo Rocket is silky smooth and the main drawing power behind the reel is the fact that it comes in a 7.0:1 gear ratio which is just unheard of for a spinning reel.
The most important takeaway from this article should be the simple fact to be wary when purchasing reels under the $50 mark. I’ve found from my experience that reels in this price-range simply begin to lose their quality and begin to wear and tear after a year or two. That’s not to say that there aren’t reels in this category that can work for you but be sure to do your research before purchasing them.
Care and Maintenance
There really isn’t a whole lot of maintenance that goes into your spinning reel. One thing to keep in mind is to keep your reel oiled up to ensure the best performance and make sure all of your bearings are running smoothly.
Also, if your reel starts to get squeaky or loud when reeling it and nothing else appears to be wrong, replacing the bearings may be a viable option to extend the life of your spinning reel.
Whenever you are shopping for a spinning reel to add to your arsenal, keep the tips above in mind and you should set yourself up on the right track.